By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
Mbarara City
More than 2,000 youth representatives from 38 districts across Uganda’s Western Region gathered at Ntare School on Tuesday to elect their representative to the 12th Parliament. The highly anticipated vote concluded with Tumwebaze Mwine of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) securing a decisive victory.
According to official results, Mwine polled 1,557 votes, far ahead of his closest rival, Independent candidate Nakandi Barbara, who garnered 404 votes. Other candidates trailed with single-digit tallies: Abenaitwe Manful (FDC) with 2 votes, Barigye Innocent (ANT) with 1, Kihumuro Martha (JEEMA) with 3, Mujuni Reynold with 8, Musinguzi Denis with 19, Namirembe Blessious (DP) with 1, and Owekisa Deborah (NUP) with 9. A total of 11 ballots were declared invalid, bringing the number of valid votes cast to 2,004.
The electorate comprised 2,094 youth delegates, including 804 females and 1,211 males. Representation was drawn from 38 sub-counties, nine municipalities, Uganda Secondary Schools Association (USSA) delegates, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from each district.
Julius Tindimwebwa, the ANT National coordinator, criticized the process, describing it as “another sham set of elections” following the January 14 presidential and parliamentary polls. He argued that such elections are too costly for unemployed youth and alleged that the NRM candidate benefited from taxpayer funding. Tindimwebwa further warned of inflation and economic hardship, claiming Ugandans would regret accepting bribes during the campaign period.
Speaking to journalists after his declaration, Mwine thanked delegates for their overwhelming support. He pledged to honor his campaign promises, acknowledging the vastness of his constituency but vowing to balance representation and lobby for youth development across the region.
“I will fulfill what I promised during the campaign trail,” Mwine said. “I thank all candidates for contesting and urge them to unite and work together for the development of youth in the Western Region.”
The election marks a significant milestone in youth representation, with Mwine set to join Parliament as the Western Youth MP in the 12th Parliament.
Returning officer Atwijukire Ismail Takhi thanked the delegates for maintaining calm throughout the exercise, noting that they had set a record as the only youth election conducted without chaos. He congratulated the winners and advised those dissatisfied with the outcome to petition the Electoral Commission or seek justice in court. Takhi emphasized that once declaration forms are filled and signed, complaints can no longer be received and must instead be pursued as formal petitions.
Ismail acknowledged that it’s true some candidates reported bribery but their complaints were only verbal without evidence and as EC they can’t rely and verbal complaints.
